World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Iran sentences filmmaker Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison
An Iranian court sentenced filmmaker Jafar Panahi to five years and one month in prison in a new case.
The ruling was issued in absentia, and the charges have not been publicly clarified.
The court also ordered the confiscation of his assets and imposed two-year bans on social media activity and international travel, according to his lawyer.
Panahi has not been detained over this ruling, and it is unclear whether or when the sentence will be enforced.
The decision is separate from a one-year prison sentence for propaganda charges that was upheld in June.
Panahi returned to Iran earlier this year and has faced repeated legal action and restrictions for years, while continuing to make films critical of the authorities.
His lawyer says the new sentence can be appealed, and Panahi has three legal cases pending.
An Iranian court sentenced filmmaker Jafar Panahi in absentia to five years and one month in prison in a separate case.
The ruling also ordered the confiscation of his assets and imposed two-year bans on social media activity and international travel.
The charges in the latest case have not been publicly clarified.
Panahi’s lawyer said the filmmaker was not notified of the hearing, and it remains unclear whether or when he will be imprisoned.
The new sentence comes on top of a separate one-year prison sentence upheld in June 2026.
- Who
- Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was sentenced by a Tehran court.
- What
- He received five years and one month in prison in absentia. The court also ordered asset confiscation and two-year social media and travel bans.
- When
- The sentence was handed down on Monday, October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Tehran, Iran.
- Why
- The charges in the latest case have not been publicly clarified.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Panahi was sentenced to prison and banned from making films and travelling abroad.
Panahi returned to Iran.
A Tehran court upheld a separate one-year prison sentence against Panahi.
A Tehran court issued the latest sentence in absentia.
- Prison sentence
- Five years and one month
- Additional restrictions
- Two-year bans on social media activity and international travel
- Assets
- Court ordered confiscation of movable and immovable assets
- Separate conviction
- One-year prison sentence upheld in June 2026
- Open legal cases
- Three pending cases, according to Panahi’s lawyer
13 sources
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What people are saying
The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced my client to five years and one month in prison and ordered the confiscation of all his moveable and immoveable property
now all of his bank accounts have been blocked